HCP offers multiple Certificate Programs ranging from photography foundations to advanced photographic practices. Exclusive discounts and benefits offer students the perfect opportunity to study with our professional instructors and learn photography, refine their skills, and develop a personal project or their portfolios. HCP Certificate Programs' structure and course selection are designed to offer students a professional and practical development path that can fit into their schedule and budget.

HCP Certificate Programs offer a selection of courses at each stage. Courses may differ in length and cost. The total tuition of your program will depend on the specific courses you choose at each stage and can be as low as $1700. The program’s tuition is not paid in one installment. Students are required to pay only the discounted rate of each course when they register for it.

Application for any Certificate Program is free. Approved applicants must place a deposit in the form of a $250 Enrollment Fee to enroll in their program. Enrollment Fees are non-refundable, however they will later be applied toward the tuition of the last course in the student’s program. The Enrollment Fee is not an additional cost on top of the courses’ tuition.

Before registering for the last course in your Certificate Program, please email us at education@hcponline.org to receive a special discount code that will deduct the $250 Enrollment Fee from the discounted cost of your course. For example, if the cost of the last course you wish to register for as part of the Photography Foundations Certificate Program is $490, you will receive a $98 discount (20% program discount) and a $250 credit for your Enrollment Fee. In this example, you will end up paying only $142 for a $490 course.

The structure of each Certificate Program is specified on its webpage and offers a selection of courses in each stage. Most courses are scheduled during evening hours on weekdays or during weekends, allowing working people to fit them into their schedules. Students are free to choose courses that fit their schedule and budget following the structure of their program.

Students can study at their own pace and complete their Certificate Program faster or slower depending on their preferences or constraints. All courses must be completed within the period stated on the program’s webpage (12 or 18 months depending on the program).

Students applying for a Certificate Program need to submit the HCP Certificate Program Application Form and provide all requested information and imagery (if relevant). Before submitting the Application Form, please review the prerequisites listed on the webpage of the program you are applying for and verify you meet the requirements. HCP may contact applicants via phone or email with requests for additional information. Approved applicants will be invited to enroll in their desired Certificate Program and will receive instructions on how to pay the Enrollment Fee.

HCP does not currently offer camera loans and/or rentals. If possible, HCP suggests students borrow rather than purchase a DSLR or mirrorless camera for introductory courses. This allows new students the time and experience needed to make the best purchase decision.

As long as a course is open (spots are still available), students are welcome to register up until the start date of the course. We recommend registering early to ensure your placement in the courses of your choice. If you wish to join a course that has already started, please contact us at education@hcponline.org.

Enrollment in HCP’s Certificate Programs is available year-round.

HCP offers personal guidance to all Certificate Programs’ candidates and students. Please contact HCP Education department at education@hcponline or 713-529-4755 ext 104. We are looking forward to answering your questions.

You may register for courses only after completing the payment of the enrollment fee in full and receiving your personal discount code. Early registration is strongly encouraged in order to secure your spot in your preferred courses and prevent unnecessary delays in your studies.

Registration for courses included in your Certificate Program must be done online via our website. Your program’s webpage offers a direct link to courses that are currently available. Please apply your personal discount code during the checkout process to enjoy your program’s special rate. Important: Before registering for the last course in your program, please email us at eduation@hcponline.org to receive a special discount code which includes a payback of your enrollment fee.

The requirements for certification are listed on each program’s webpage. Students must attend at least 70% of their classes in each course and receive a “Pass” grade for courses they wish to credit toward certification. All courses must be completed within the period stated on the Program’s webpage (1 or 1.5 years) from the date of enrollment (excluding approved past courses). To receive their certificate, students need to submit the Certificate Request Form, list the courses to be credited toward the certificate, and provide all required images and texts.

Absolutely! Courses taken at HCP from 2022 onward in which the student attended at least 70% of the classes can potentially be credited toward Certificate Programs at HCP’s sole discretion. See Special Promotion guidelines for more details. Course discounts cannot be applied retroactively to past courses approved toward certification.

Certificate Programs’ enrollment fees are non-refundable, but will later be applied toward the tuition of the last course in the student’s program, and are not an additional cost on top of the courses’ tuition. HCP’s Refund Policy and Class Policy apply to course and workshop registrations.

Not at this time. HCP Certificate Programs are not accredited. Certificate Programs can help you learn photography, refine your skills, and develop a personal project or a portfolio for a college/university application.

While HCP does not offer Certificate Programs for teenagers, the Foto Futures: Fine Art Track is a springboard for high school students who may be interested in pursuing a higher education degree in photography.